Massachusetts Gaming Commission Public Meeting #207
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MASSACHUSETTS GAMING COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING #207 January 5, 2017 10:00 a.m. Massachusetts Gaming Commission 101 Federal Street, 12th Floor Boston, MA Meeting Minutes Date/Time: December 15, 2016 – 10:00 a.m. Place: Massachusetts Gaming Commission 101 Federal Street, 12th Floor Boston, Massachusetts Present: Chairman Stephen P. Crosby Commissioner Gayle Cameron Commissioner Lloyd Macdonald Commissioner Bruce Stebbins Commissioner Enrique Zuniga Time entries are linked to corresponding section in Commission meeting video Call to Order See transcript page 2 10:00 a.m. Chairman Crosby called to order the 206th Commission meeting. Approval of Minutes See transcript pages 2-3 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Macdonald moved for the approval of the November 22, 2016 Commission meeting minutes subject to any corrections, typographical errors, or other nonmaterial matters. Motion seconded by Commissioner Cameron. Motion passed unanimously. Commissioner Macdonald moved for the approval of the December 1, 2016 Commission meeting minutes subject to any corrections, typographical errors, or other nonmaterial matters. Motion seconded by Commissioner Zuniga. Motion passed unanimously. Administrative Update See transcript pages 3-16 10:01 a.m. Executive Director Edward Bedrosian, Jr. stated that he does not have an update. 10:02 a.m. Human Resources Manager Trupti Banda provided a MGC staff diversity update and reported the following: There are 85 MGC employees (65 employees in the gaming area and 20 seasonal employees in racing); 8 full time employees were hired in 2016; 19 employees were rehired for racing meets; and 2 new positions include a Program Manager and a Construction Project Oversight Manager. Ms. Banda stated that the MGC has a goal to be 25% diverse and that the agency is currently 22% diverse with seasonal employees and 26% diverse without seasonal employees. She also stated that we have increased our diversity by 8 percent since 2014. She stated that she continues to work on outreach and with the Director of Workforce, Supplier and Diversity for opportunities. She noted that the budget forecast projects limited hires so they will be strategic going forward. Chairman Crosby inquired about the male and female ratio within the agency. Ms. Banda reported that the staff is 49% female. Commissioner Zuniga inquired if the number of employees includes the State Police. Ms. Banda responded that it does not include the State Police. Ms. Banda also noted that 4.7% of the staff has military service. 10:06 a.m. Agnes Beaulieu, Finance and Budget Office Manager, provided an update on the FY16 supplier diversity benchmarks. She noted that the numbers for the small business and women-owned businesses have not changed and there is a change for the minority-owned and veteran-owned business benchmarks. She reported that the MGC will receive credit for an additional $37,000 for minority-owned businesses and $2,100 for veteran-owned businesses. As a result of the credit, we have reached and slightly surpassed our benchmark for the minority-owned businesses for FY 16. 10:08 a.m. CFAO Derek Lennon reported that the OSD (Operational Services Division) issued a bulletin stating that agencies should take benchmarks seriously. He also stated that MGC reports on the benchmarks quarterly and this isn’t done at most agencies. He reported that OSD would like to replicate the MGC model with other agencies. Racing Division See transcript pages 16-21 10:12 a.m. Douglas O’Donnell, Senior Financial Analyst, presented on a request for reimbursement by Suffolk Downs from the Capital Improvement Trust Fund. He stated that there are nine projects totaling $210,908.42. 10:13 a.m. Commissioner Cameron moved that the Commission approve this request dated December 15th at the request for reimbursement by Suffolk Downs Capital Improvement Trust Fund. Motion seconded by Commissioner Macdonald. Motion passed unanimously. 10:15 a.m. Mr. O’Donnell presented on the quarterly local aid distribution. He stated that this is the money that is collected and based on the handles in April, May and June of 2016, totaling $229,146.98. 10:16 a.m. Commissioner Stebbins moved that the Commission approve the local aid quarterly payment, $229,146.98, with the allocation as outlined in the packet. Motion seconded by Commissioner Macdonald. Motion passed unanimously. Research and Responsible Gaming See transcript pages 21-130 10:16 a.m. Director Mark Vander Linden stated that he is joined by Christopher Bruce, a crime analyst that the Commission is using to evaluate crime impacts of expanding gaming in Massachusetts. Chairman Crosby stated that this type of evaluation is unprecedented. Commissioner Cameron noted that having a baseline study upfront makes this unique along with the level of cooperation to get all the police chiefs to work with the State Police and share data for research purposes. She noted that this is a credit to Mr. Bruce. Commissioner Macdonald inquired why the Town of Foxboro did not participate in the study. Mr. Bruce stated that they did reach out to Foxboro but they declined to participate due to concerns over disclosure of data. Mr. Bruce stated that they do have some state data that they can use for Foxboro. He also stated that they will reach out to the new Foxboro police chief. 10:24 a.m. Christopher Bruce presented a summary of the first year analysis of the impact of crime on public safety after the opening of Plainridge Park Casino (“PPC”). He noted that there is little impact on most crimes and calls for service in the surrounding area. He also noted that the casino may have influenced an increase in credit card fraud in the region and an increase in calls for traffic related matters. He stated that he collected data, from July 2015 – June 2016, from Plainville, Attleboro, Mansfield, North Attleborough and Wrentham and merged the data into a common database. He stated that he looked at a number of factors to determine if there is a relationship between an increase in crime and the opening of a casino. He went thought his methodology and noted the data limitations of his analysis. He also reported on trends at PPC that included thefts, drug offenses, intoxication, and small children left alone in cars. He reported that 100% percent of the offenders were identified and apprehended. He also reported on findings in the surrounding communities and noted an increase in incidents such as domestic kidnapping, prostitution and burglaries that had nothing to do with PPC. He noted that the data is also complicated by the opioid crisis. Commissioner Cameron stated that she is not in agreement with the finding that credit card fraud is likely related to the casino. She stated that none of the police chiefs had any evidence that the credit card fraud was related to PPC. 11:19 a.m. The Commission took a brief recess. 11:26 a.m. The meeting resumed. 11:26 a.m. Mr. Bruce continued with his analysis and provided a summary of three comparison communities. He noted that further studies are needed for crime and traffic collisions when the 2017 data is released. Commissioner Macdonald inquired if any of the police chiefs reported that the opening and operation of a casino has caused an increase in law enforcement issues. Mr. Bruce responded no, the chiefs are reporting no increases as a result of the casino. Mr. Bruce cautioned that folks should read his full report on not rely just on the power point. 11:55 a.m. The Commission took a brief recess. 12:00 p.m. The meeting resumed. 12:00 p.m. Director Vander Linden reported on a proposed revision of the Responsible Gaming Framework (“RGF”). He stated that the goals of the RGF aim to mitigate the negative and unintended consequences of casino gambling. The Commission adopted a framework that included GameSense, Play My Way and Voluntary Self- Exclusion. He stated that we have learned a lot in 18 months, we regularly engage with organizations with a shared commitment to advance responsible gaming, and we look at emerging practices and new research. He stated that it is a good time to identify gaps and expand the scope of the RGF. He stated that he would like to take on a broader public health approach to promote safe gaming, prevent problem gambling, and create greater opportunities for intervention. He is proposing to engage each Commissioner on what is important to them in the area of responsible gaming and is looking for ways to make this a better framework. Executive Director Bedrosian stated that it is better to have this conversation now while we are building the larger casinos so that any modifications can be addressed prior to opening. Commissioner Stebbins noted that the RGF was meant to be a living document that would change over time and he looks forward to a conversation with Director Vander Linden to expand the scope. Commissioner Zuniga stated that we should look at discrete pieces and reaffirm principles rather than make dramatic changes. He suspects that the strategies will remain the same. Chairman Crosby stated that he thinks it’s worth reviewing and we should use a methodical process. He noted that the GameSense evaluation should inform what we do. He also stated that we should receive input from recovering gambling addicts on what they think about our programs. He also noted that the slot machine operation should be an element of the review process. Commissioner’s Update See transcript pages 130-136 12:14 p.m. Chairman Crosby noted that the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee, mandated by the legislature, will be holding a meeting on Monday at the State House.